I’ve got bad news, besides DOT/OSHA approved safety gas cans, there are none.

*Note- This post contains links to Amazon which, if you purchase a product following that link, I earn a commission.

Because of a recent run at the pumps due to a social media and hype driven fear of a gasoline shortage, people are not only topping up their tanks, but hoarding gas, filling up anything that can hold liquid.

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Unfortunately, it’s not only dangerous to transport and store gasoline in anything but DOT/OSHA approved gas cans, it’s against the law in most states.

There are no suitable containers, besides DOT-approved gas cans, that can safety transport and store gas without posing a risk to yourself and others.

Here’s why.

Although almost anyone can buy gasoline and it’s become part of our daily lives, most don’t understand how volatile and how much energy gasoline has.

Gasoline is classified as a flammable liquid with a -45F Flash Point, a vapor density around 3, and in one gallon, has as much energy as 20 sticks of dynamite.

That means, at room temperature, gas gives off ignitable vapors that settle and spread low to the ground. If those ignitable vapors reach an ignition source, like an open flame or spark, combustion will occur.

Enter the modern safety gas can.

Gas can regulations naturally evolved from American Jerry Can usage around the 1930s in WW1. Made of thick, pressed steel, Jerry cans could easily transport upwards of 5.3 gallons of gas conveniently and safely.

Today, DOT/OSHA approved gas can meets and exceeds certain industry standards including drop testing, proof pressure testing, burst testing, and resistance to degradation from exposure to gasoline itself.

Specific DOT requirements include,

  • Being no greater than 5 gallons
  • Have self-closing lids that vent pressure
  • Have flame arrestors imbedded in spouts
  • Have rugged, handle drop protection.
  • And generally made out of a thick plastic or high-density polyethylene.

These gas cans on Amazon are examples of DOT approved gas cans.

If you store gasoline in regular containers, like an empty water jug, you risk gasoline spilling out if, by chance, the containers break during transport.

Kept in a garage or storage shed, water jugs may degrade and leak dangerous gas vapors of which, you’re unaware of, until it’s too late.I don’t need to spell out what could happen if gas vapors make their way to a pilot light.

TL;DR- there are no containers suitable to temporarily store gas if you don’t have a safety gas can.

I hate to break it to you, but this blog post won’t advocate or come up with a half a**ed, quasi-acceptable container to store gas for you.

Do the right thing and store gas in approved gas cans.

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